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This Easy Cheesy Baked Tortellini is simple and delicious too. Tortellini, bacon, cheese, basil, & spinach fill this recipe and make it irresistible and perfect for dinner any night.

There’s something about putting pastas in a casserole dish and baking it, whether it’s this baked tortellini, baked spaghetti, or a chicken alfredo bake, it’s always a winner in our house.

Baked Tortellini scooped with a serving spoon
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extra Cheesy Goodness

Who here loves an easy dinner recipe? We are all about them and have realized that pasta recipes are the kids’ favorites. Today’s recipe is a Cheesy Baked Tortellini that the whole family enjoyed.

We’ve always loved Tortellini and have used it in so many recipes here on the site (including our Italian Tortellini Soup and Tortellini Salad).

We knew we’d love this recipe considering that it’s covered in cheese, bacon and spinach. And because the tortellini is already filled with cheese, it’s kind of a no-brainer to love this double-cheesy baked tortellini goodness.

Make and bake

We’ve already established the fact that Cheese Tortellini on it’s own is delicious, and turning it into an even cheesier, more delicious dinner idea is going to earn you major kudos with the family. Here is how you make baked tortellini casserole.

TORTELLINI. Cooking tortellini as directed on the package.

SAUCE. Cook bacon and cut up. Reserve bacon fat from pan. Add garlic and cook for a minute or two. Add flour to the pan and whisk for a minute, then add milk and mix until smooth. Lastly, add salt, pepper, lemon juice and basil and bring to a simmer.

COMBINE. Drain tortellini and add back to the pot. Turn to low heat and add spinach and most of the mozzarella, Parmesan cheeses and bacon. Add sauce and stir until well combined.

BAKE. Add to an 8×8 or 9×9 dish. Top with the remaining mozzarella cheese, Parmesan cheese and bacon. Cover your dish with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove foil and bake for an additional 5 minutes.

What can I use instead of bacon? If you’re not a fan of bacon you can substitute it with another meat such as ham, pepperoni, italian sausage, chicken, turkey bacon, sauteed shrimp. Also, the recipe calls for saving the bacon grease. Since you will not have bacon grease to use when sauteing the garlic use 1-2 Tablespoons of olive oil. 

Cheesy Tortellini Bake in a glass casserole dish

Make it ahead!

As if this recipe wasn’t already amazing, the fact that it’s a perfect make ahead meal is even better! Just follow the recipe steps up until it’s time to bake. Cover with with plastic wrap and keep in the fridge for 1-2 days then bake. To freeze: Cover with plastic and again with aluminum foil. Label and freeze for 3-4 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge and bake.

We really hope you love this cheesy, flavorful baked tortellini. We know you can buy tortellini with meat inside, so we think we’re going to try that next time. Either way, it’s a keeper recipe for sure. 😉

Tortellini Casserole in a serving spoon

For more Cheese Tortellini recipes:

4.91 from 22 votes

Cheesy Tortellini Bake

By: Lil’ Luna
Easy and extra cheesy tortellini bake is a weeknight favorite. It's filled with bacon and spinach and on the table in about 30 minutes!
Servings: 6
Prep: 15 minutes
Cook: 20 minutes
Total: 35 minutes

Ingredients 

  • 1 (12-ounce) package cheese tortellini, or any kind of tortellini
  • 4 bacon strips
  • 3 teaspoons minced garlic
  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 2 cups milk
  • ¾ teaspoon salt
  • black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon dried basil
  • 2 cups frozen spinach, thaw, drain, and chop
  • ¾ cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
  • ¾ cup Parmesan cheese, shredded
  • 2 teaspoons lemon juice

Instructions 

  • Preheat oven to 350°F.
  • Fill a large pot with water and bring to a boil. Add tortellini and cook as directed on the package.
  • Cook bacon and cut it up. Reserve bacon fat from the pan. Add garlic and cook for a minute or two. Add flour to the pan and whisk for a minute. Add milk and mix until smooth. Add salt, pepper, lemon juice, and basil. Bring to a simmer.
  • Drain tortellini and add back to the pot. Turn to low heat and add spinach and most of the mozzarella, Parmesan cheese, and bacon. Add sauce and stir until well combined.
  • Add to an 8×8 or 9×9 dish. Top with the remaining mozzarella cheese, Parmesan cheese, and bacon.
  • Cover your dish with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove foil and bake for an additional 5 minutes. Serve and enjoy!

Video

Notes

Prep ahead. Assemble the dish as directed, but don’t bake. Instead, cover with plastic and refrigerate for 1-2 days, or wrap again with aluminum foil and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw if needed, and bake as directed.
Store leftovers in an airtight container(s) in the fridge for 2-3 days or freeze for 2-3 months. Reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop. Add a little bit of milk to help revive the creamy texture. 

Nutrition

Calories: 230kcal, Carbohydrates: 9g, Protein: 14g, Fat: 15g, Saturated Fat: 7g, Cholesterol: 37mg, Sodium: 750mg, Potassium: 348mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 4g, Vitamin A: 6420IU, Vitamin C: 4.3mg, Calcium: 385mg, Iron: 1.5mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

About Kristyn

My name is Kristyn and I’m the mom of SIX stinkin’ cute kids and the wife to my smokin’ hot hubby, Lo. My mom’s maiden name is Luna, and I’m one of the many crafty “Lil’ Lunas” in the fam. On this site I like to share all things creative - from recipes to home decor to gifts and home decor ideas. Welcome!

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4.91 from 22 votes (5 ratings without comment)

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Recipe Rating




80 Comments

  1. Debbie says:

    5 stars
    Very smooth taste, not at all spicy. I paired it with roasted chicken breast and peas.

  2. Neighley says:

    In the video it shows fresh spinach, but the recipe calls for frozen spinach. If I wanted to use fresh spinach how much should I use?

    1. Lil'Luna Team says:

      You could use two heaping cups of spinach and it should be enough. If you love spinach, you could add a little more as it will cook down a bit in the oven.

  3. Kristine says:

    5 stars
    Delicious

    1. Lil'Luna Team says:

      Thank you! So glad you enjoyed the recipe!

  4. Angela Grayson says:

    3 stars
    Looks better then it tastes. Not much flavor. More garlic, bacon, salt, maybe heavy cream

    1. LilLunaTeam says:

      I’m sorry the recipe didn’t turn out as well as you had hoped. Thanks so much for sharing your suggestions!

  5. Jewel says:

    5 stars
    This was great. I added Ground itLian sausage.
    Question. Once it has been baked can i Freeze It or does it not freeze well after baking. Thanks

    1. Kristyn Merkley says:

      So glad you liked it! I haven’t tried freezing it, after it’s been baked, but if you are, I would cover with plastic wrap & aluminum foil & freeze. Thaw out & bake. I wouldn’t know an exact time, since it’s already been baked & I haven’t tried.

  6. Nicole says:

    5 stars
    Used turkey bacon, skim milk and shredded Cheeses instead of grated. Loved it !

    1. Kristyn Merkley says:

      Sounds perfect! Thank you for sharing that! I will have to try that sometime 🙂

  7. Christine says:

    5 stars
    Easy and super tasty …I added some chicken witch did not need it but I had it to add so I did , definitely will make again!

    1. Kristyn Merkley says:

      Great idea!! Glad you liked it! Thank you for letting me know!

  8. Kay Schwab says:

    5 stars
    Made this recipe many times. All my guests and family. Want to know if this could be frozen either after fully cooked or before

    1. Kristyn Merkley says:

      I think it could before or after. If it is before, I would thaw it a little or it may need a little more time 🙂

  9. Rita says:

    Havent made this yet – do you thaw spInach ahead of time or add to pan with cheeses frozen? Im just cOnfUsed based off the instructions. Thanks!

    1. Kristyn Merkley says:

      I like to just thaw it a little & I wrap it in a towel & squeeze it, to drain it, then chop. Hope that helps!

  10. Chelsea says:

    5 stars
    Who doesn’t love tortellini?!

    1. Kristyn Merkley says:

      Right?! I know I do! Thank you!